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only definition

only (ōn′lē)

adjective

  1. alone of its or their kind; by itself or by themselves; sole
  2. having no siblings an only child
  3. alone in its or their superiority; best; finest

Etymology: ME < OE anlic < an, one + -lic, -ly

adverb

    1. and no other; and no (or nothing) more; solely; exclusively drink water only
    2. merely; simply
  2. (but) in what follows or in the end to meet one crisis, only to face another
  3. as recently as elected only last fall

conjunction

Informal were it not that; except that; but I'd have gone, only it rained
only Idioms

if only

would that; I wish that if only they would leave; if they would only try harder

only too

very; exceedingly

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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